Dual printing apparatus with selective hammer arming means

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for effecting two printing operations on a delivery ticket characterized by a dual printing mechanism having a ticket drawer into which the ticket is emplaced, the drawer being pushed inwardly into a plurality of positions. The inward movement of the drawer arms spring loaded print mechanism, including two print hammers, to deliver a striking force against the ticket to effect a printing from delivery data print wheels. The data print wheels contain product identification, transaction number, and number of units of quantity of product delivered. Also disclosed are specific embodiments enabling remote use of the dual printing mechanism, safety switches and specific structural features.

United States Patent 1 1 Macune et a1.

111 3,791,291 [451 Feb. 12, 1974 DUAL PRINTING APPARATUS WITH SELECTIVEHAMMER ARMING MEANS [75] Inventors: Charles W. Macune; Walter J.

Parrish, both of Fort Worth, Tex.

[52] U.S. Cl. 101/69, 101/80, 101/95,

346/43, 222/30, 73/194 E, 235/94 [51] Int. Cl. B41j 45/00, GOld 9/00[58] Field of Search 101/66, 69, 70, 72-75,

101/78-80, 90, 94, 95, 96, 99, 110(346/43; 235/94 R; 222/30; 73/194 R,194 E, 194 M, 272 R, 272 A; 340/239 Schroeder et al 346/43 3,366,967l/1968 Sherman et al 222/30 X 3,631,506 12/1971 Nielsen 346/43 3,701,99410/1972 Bateman 222/30 3,139,027 I 6/1964 Norman 101/79 X PrimaryExaminer-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerEugene H. Eickholt 1Attorney, Agent, or FirmWm. T. Wofford; Wofford, Felsman & Fails [5 7]ABSTRACT Apparatus for effectingtwo printing operations on a deliveryticket characterized by a dual printing mechanism having a ticket drawerinto which the ticket is emplaced, the drawer being pushed inwardly intoa plurality of positions. The inward movement of the drawer arms springloaded print mechanism, including two print hammers, to deliver astriking force against the ticket to effect a printing from deliverydata print wheels. The data print wheels contain product identification,transaction number, and number of units of quantity of productdelivered. Also disclosed are specific embodiments enabling remote useof the dual printing mechanism, safety switches and-specific structuralfeatures.

22 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENT FEB 1 2 I874 SHEU 3 BF 8 PATENTEBFEIB 1 2 I974 SHEEI t 0? 8 DUAL PRINTING APPARATUS WITH SELECTIVE HAMMERARMING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to apparatus for printing tickets; and, moreparticularly, to apparatus of the socalled dual printing type whereintwo printing operations are performed on a single ticket to show thequantity of material delivered at the beginning and the end of thedelivery operation.

2. Description of thePrior Art A wide variety of methods and apparatushave been employed for recording the quantity of goods delivered; justas the goods themselves have varied widely from individual units likeapples; through solid measures of quantity, like bushels of wheat; tomeasurement of flow of fluids through meters, like gallons or cubicfeet. For example, early flow measurements were made by gaugers droppinga plumb bob and tape into a storage tank to take beginning and endingreadings of level of the liquid and converting this to volume fromcalibration charts. More recently, various types of meters have beenemployed to indicate in appropriate units the cumulative quantity of thematerial passed therethrough.

One of the most widely used and best known products employs a dualprinting mechanism that is me- These and other objects will becomeapparent from the descriptive matter hereinafter, particularly whentaken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS dinal center section looking towardthe right side of the chanically driven in response to connection with ameter. Since they are frequently similarly used in the field, the termspump or delivery mechanism are employed herein as generic terms toinclude an appropriate metering device. This widely used product employsa ticket printer that is cocked by rotating a crank a plurality of timeswith a mechanism for shifting the ticket from one position to another.It is primarily mechanical and has a plurality of different boxes thathave to be emplaced and interconnected so its installation wascumbersome and not readily amenable to use at a location remote from thedelivery mechanism, or meter. It came into prominence, however, whenaccounting departments, and product control agencies, and the like foundit advisable to provide delivery information that could not be alteredby subjective means, as by a gauger putting down the wrong deliveryinformation. This decreased the errors, both intentional and accidental.This type of device, however, was cumbersome and required operation of aplurality of manually operable means, the omission of any one of whichcould foul up the printing operation. Moreover, the plurality ofdifferentpieces of apparatus enabled inexperienced helpers to connectthe apparatus incorrectly and, in any event, was cumbersome to installand employ.

Thus. it can be seen that the prior art has not produced a whollysatisfactory dual printing apparatus.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a dualprinting apparatus that can be employed at a location remote from adelivery mechanism; such as, a pump including a meter.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a dual printingmechanism'in which the ticket printer is incorporated into a single unitand in which the various operations are carried out semi-automaticallyresponsive to simple, fool-proof manualoperation performed at the frontof the ticket printer.

ticket printer of FIG. 1 with the ticket printer in its step 1 position.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the right side with the ticket printer in itsstep 2 position.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the right side with the ticket printer in itsstep 3 position, and not duplicating the portion that was unchanged fromFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the right side with the ticket printer in itsstep 4 position.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the right side with the ticket printer in itsstep 5 position.

FIG. 9 is a partial right side elevational detail view showing theratchet, cam and hammer of the ticket printer in its step 1" position.

FIG. 10 is a partial right side elevational detail view showing theratchet, cam and hammer with the ticket printer in its step 2 position.

FIG. 11 is a partial right side elevational detail view showing theratchet, cam and hammer with the ticket printer in its step 3 position.

FIG. 12 is a partial right side elevational detail view showing ratchet,cam and hammer with the ticket printer in its step 4" position.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the left side of the ticket printer of FIG. Iwith the ticket printer in its step I position. 7

FIG. 14 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the left side with the ticket printer in its step2 position.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the left side with the ticket printer in its step3 position and not duplicating the portion that was unchanged from FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the left side with the ticket printer in its step4 position.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross sectional view of the longitudinal centersection looking toward the left side with the ticket printer in its step5 position.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a delivery data print wheel assembly foruse in the ticket printer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the delivery. data print wheel assemblyof FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a schematic'view of one embodiment of this invention employedfor delivering a liquid, such as ahydrocarbon.

3 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The apparatus of this inventionmay be employed for dual printing of tickets showing units of quantityof a material delivered by way of a delivery device for any material.For purposes of illustrating the construction and automation, however,it will be employed in conjunction with a pump as the delivery devicefor deliver-,

ing a liquid material by way of a meter or the like that effects pulseswhen a predetermined quantity of material has been delivered. Thesepulses may be effected by the closure of contacts on a meter or thelike, serving as a pulse generator. The specific system will beunderstood more thoroughly from the descriptive matter with respect tothe schematic view of FIG. 20, described'later hereinafter. It issufficient at this point to note that the pulse generator is connectedwith a delivery data advancing means, such as solenoids 231 and 255,FIGS. '18 and 20, for advancing a delivery data printing means, such asthe print wheels 291 and 295, responsive to the signals from thedelivery device; for example, pulses from the pulse generator that isconnected with the 'pump. The delivery data advancing means and thedelivery data printing means may be incorporated directly into asuitable volumetric space within the frame of a ticket printer 11, FIG.1, if desired. Such a construction facilitates emplacement, orpositioning, of a ticket adjacent the delivery data printing means forprinting the beginning and ending delivery data. The respective deliverydata advancing means and delivery data printing means will be understoodmore thoroughly from the descriptive matter given with respect to FIGS.18 and 19, later hereinafter.

The heart of this invention is a ticket printer 11, FIG. 1. The ticketprinter 11 comprises the major assemblies or sub-assemblies of frame 13,FIGS. 1 and 2; a drawer means, such as drawer 15, for receiving aticket; a print bar 17; a print means 19 for moving the print bar so asto effect printing of the ticket with information from the delivery dataprinting means; a first arming means 21 for arming the print means 19when the drawer is moved inwardly to a first location; actuator means 23for actuating the print means 19; and a second arming means 25 forarming the print means 19 when the drawer 15 is moved inwardly to asecond location.

The frame 13 comprises suitable structural and skeletal framework forsupporting the respective elements. As illustrated, it comprises a frontpanel 27, side panels 29 and bottom rear shelf extension 31. Suitablehandles 33 are provided to facilitate pulling the ticket printer 11 outof its cabinet or the like in which it has been installed, as bysuitable fittings indicated by the knurled knobs 35. Suitable fittingsmay comprise any of the conventional fittings for inserting into anaperture or the like within a portion of the cabinet and fastening theticket printer in place, as by rotation of the fitting. As illustrated,the frame 13 is metallic, although any other material that has adequatestructural strength may be employed. The elements of the frame may bejoined to each other, as well as to the other components by any suitablemeans, as by metal screws penetrating through apertures and engagingthreaded receptacles.

The drawer 15 is slidable longitudinally of the frame 13. The drawer 15has a means, such as a tray 36, for receiving a ticket therein. Acut-out 16, FIGS. 3 and 4,

is provided in drawer 15 to allow a ticket therein to be depresseddownwardly onto the delivery data printing means. As illustrated, thedrawer 15 is slidable between top and bottom rails 37 and 39, FIG. 4,that are attached to each of the side panels 29, as by metal screws (notshown). The drawer 15 includes a ticket fixing means for trapping aticket in place in the drawer responsive to inward movement of thedrawer. The ticket fixing means includes a cross bar piercing mechanism41, FIGS. 1 and 4, and a cross bar positioning means 43 for forcing thecross bar piercing mechanism 41 downwardly to trap an inserted ticketwhen the drawer 15 is moved inwardly. As illustrated, the cross barpiercing mechanism 41 comprises a cross bar 45 traversing laterally ofthe drawer 15 and a pin 47 that is movable downwardly to penetrate aticket 49 emplaced in the drawer. The cross bar piercing mechanism 41 ispivotally mounted via fulcrum shaft bolt 51 oneach side of the drawer15.

The cross bar positioning means 43 has a leaf spring extension 53 thatengages a stop 55 and is connected with the cross bar piercing mechanism41 for biasing the cross bar piercing mechanism 41 to trap an insertedticket 49 and retain the pin 47 through the ticket. The cross barpositioning means 43 also includes a roller 57 mounted on each side ofthe frame 13 for forcing the cross bar piercing mechanism downwardly toinsert the pin 47 through the ticket 49 when the drawer 15 is pushedinwardly. The cross bar positioning means 43 also includes a cammingmeans such as the upwardly disposed L-bracket, or L-shaped member 59,for engaging the roller 57 and forcing the cross bar piercing mechanism41 upwardly to release the inserted ticket 49 when the drawer 15 ismoved outwardly to its release position. In this way the drawer 15 maybe pushed inwardly to its first and second locations for emplacing aticket between the delivery data printing means and the print bar 17 forprinting the respective quantities of delivered material at thebeginning and end of a particular delivery.

The print bar 17 is mounted adjacent the delivery data printing meanswith space therebetween for receiving ticket 49 when the drawer 15 ispushed inwardly. As illustrated, the print bar 17 extends laterallyacross the major portion of the width of the ticket printer 11 andextends across the top surface of the print wheels employed in thedelivery data printing means; including the transaction wheels 295 andthe product identification wheel 293, FIG. 18, in order that completeidentification of the printing is afforded on the face of the ticketwhen the print bar 17 is moved downwardly to effect the printing. Theillustrated print bar 17 is T-shaped and has the base of the T 61, FIG.13, connected with a tubular shaft 63 that is freely rotatable about theshaft 65, the latter being discussed in more detail hereinafter withrespect to the arming means 21 and 25.

A print bar positioning means 67 is connected with the print bar 17 formoving the print bar 17 toward the delivery data print means before thedrawer means is moved inwardly to its first location and for moving theprint bar 17 away from the delivery data printing means after the drawer15 has been moved to its second location and the print means has beenactuated to print the beginning and ending delivery data from thedelivery data printing means. In this way, the print bar is adjacent theticket for effecting better printing, and is moved away from the ticketduring the time of greatest movement of the ticket so that smudging ofthe ticket predetermined position 75. Thus, as can be seen in' FIG. 14,when the first predetermined position 75, marking the cessation of theledge, moves past the roller 69; the roller and, consequently, the printbar 17, is free to move downwardly as the drawer is pushed furtherinwardly, thereby allowing the print bar 17 to drop more closelyadjacent the ticket 49 and the delivery data printing means (not shownin FIGS. 13 and 14). Conversely, when the drawer 15 is moved outwardly,the ledge 73 will engage the roller 69 and lift the print bar 17upwardly for the reasons given hereinbefore. Expressed otherwise, theroller 69 changes the position of the print bar 17 each time the firstpredetermined position 75 passes the roller; lowering the print bar whenthe drawer is pushed inwardly and raising the print bar when the draweris pulled outwardly. This effects a cleaner ticket, yet better printingwhen the print bar is depressed by actuation of the print means 19.

The print means 19 are employed for moving the print bar 17 so as toeffect printing of the ticket with information from the delivery dataprinting means. As illustrated, the print means 19 comprises first andsecond print hammers 77 and 79, FIG. 1. The first print hammer 77' isconnected with the first arming means 21 so as to be armed when thedrawer 15 is moved inwardly to its first location. The second printhammer 79 is connected with the second arming means 25 so as to be armedwhen the drawer 15 is moved inwardly to its second location. Each of theprint hammers 77 and 79 are movable toward and away from the print barso as to be able to strike the print bar when suitably armed andsubsequently actuated. As'will become apparent from the descriptivematter hereinafter, the print hammers are pivotally mounted and,ultimately, are biased toward the print bar 17 by respective first andsecond springs 81 and 83, FIGS. 1 and 2, for striking the print bar 17and forcing it downwardly to force engagement of an inserted ticket withthe delivery data printing means therebeneath. Specifically, each of theprint hammers; such as, print hammer 77, FIGS. 1 and 4; is

Each of the first and second hammer carriages 89 and 91 have respectivefirst and second extensions, such as first extension 95, FIG. 4, andsecond extension 97, FIG. 13. The first extension 95 is employed in con-5 junction with a first stop arm 99 that is pivotally mounted on theframe 13. The first stop arm 99 engages the first extension 95 so as tomove into position to stop inward movement of the drawer 15 at its firstlocation as the first print hammer 77 is armed by infreely pivotallymounted on respective cam follower shafts that are connected with therespective first and second cam followers, which are described in moredetail with respect to the first and second arming means laterhereinafter. The print hammers are locally biased toward stops 86 intoaposition farthest away from the delivery data printing means and theprint bar 17, as by springs 87. Since'the print hammers are freelypivotally mounted, however, they are free to overtravel because ofinertia beyond the position of the cam follower shaft when the camfollower shaft moves downwardly with its respective cam followersradially interiorly down the respective drop-offs of the cam surfaces,also described in more detail with respect to the arming meanshereinafter. As illustrated, the respective first and second printhammers 77 and 79 are carried by first and second print hammer carriages89 and 91 that are in turn pivotally mounted on the frame 13 byrespective fulcrum shaft bolts 93. The springs 81 and 83 are connectedto the first and second print hammer carriages 89 and 91.

ward movement of the drawer 15. Conversely, the first stop arm 99engages the first extension so as to be moved out of its stop positionwhen the first print hammer 77 is actuated. Specifically, the firstextension 95 has a laterally extending member 101 that engages the rearend of the first stop arm 99 to move the rear end upwardly anddownwardly as the laterally extending member 101 is moved upwardly anddownwardly. Responsive to the upward and downward movement of the rearend of the first stop arm 99, the front end 103 of the first stop arm 99is moved oppositely upwardly and downwardly to move into and out of itsstop position for stopping inward movement of the drawer 15. The firststop arm 99 is pivotally mounted by way of fulcrum shaft bolt 105. Thus,as the first print hammer 77 is moved upwardly into its armed position,the first extension 95 is moved downwardly, allowing the rear end of thefirst stop arm 99 to move downwardly responsive to upward biasing by thespring 107 under compression. Consequently, the front end 103 movesupwardly into the line of travel to stop inward and rearward movement ofthe drawer 15 at its first location to properly emplace adjacent thedelivery data printing means a delivery ticket space for the beginningdelivery information, frequently referred to as READING START, as shownin FIG. 5. Conversely, when the first print hammer 77 has been actuatedto move downwardly, the first extension 95 moves upwardly, moving therear end of the first stop arm 99 upwardly. This lowers the front end103 downwardly into its position, shown in FIG. 6, freeing the drawer 15for further inward movement to its second location, FIG. 7.

A second stop 'arm 109, FIG. 13, engages the second extension 97 so asto move into its holding position to releasably retain the drawer 15 atits second location as the second print hammer 79 is armed by inwardmovement of the drawer 15 toward its second location. Conversely, thesecond'stop arm 109 is moved out of its holding position to release thedrawer 15 when the second print hammer 79 is actuated. Specifically, thesecond extension 97 has a laterally extending member 1 1 1 emplacedbeneath the rear end of the second stop arm 109. The second stop arm 109is pivotally mounted to the frame 13 by way of fulcrum shaft bolt 113.The forward end of the second stop arm 109 has an upwardly extendingfinger 117 for engaging a slot in the drawer 15 to retain it at itssecond location until the second print hammer 79 has been actuated toeffect printing of the final delivery data, frequently referred to asthe READING FINISH. Specifically, the laterally extending member 111rests beneath the rearward end of the pivotally mounted second stop arm109 to retain the forward end 115 depressed as long as the second printhammer 79 is not armed. This keeps the finger 117 out of engagement ofthe slot in the drawer 15. When the second print hammer 79 is armed,however, the second extension 97 is moved downwardly, FIGS. 14 and 15,leaving the rear end of the second stop arm 109 free to move downwardlyunder the force of the upward biasing of the forward end 115 by thecompressed spring 119 as soon as the drawer is moved inwardly to itssecond location, FIG. 16. As can be seen in FIG. 16, the upwardlyextending finger 117 engages a slot (not shown) in the drawer to retainthe drawer in its second location. Simultaneously, the front flange 121of the drawer 15 will have engaged the front panel 27 to preventrearward movement and the drawer is thus immobilized until after thefinal delivery information has been printed, as by actuation of thesecond print hammer 79. Conversely, when the second print hammer 79 hasbeen actuated, the second extension 97 is moved upwardly, to move therear end of the second stop arm 109 upwardly. This moves the front end115 downwardly and disengages the finger 117 from the slot in the drawer15, allowing the drawer 15 to be moved outwardly, as shown in FIG. 17.Subsequently, drawer 15 can be pulled outwardly into its releaseposition for removal of the ticket and insertion of another ticket.

As indicated hereinbefore, a first arming means 21 is connected with thedrawer 15 and the print means, such as first print hammer 77, so as toarm the print means 19 when the drawer 15 is moved inwardly to its firstlocation. Similarly, a second arming means 25 is connected with thedrawer 15 and with the print means 19,'such as second print hammer 79,so as to arm the print means when the drawer 15 is moved inwardly to itssecond location. The first and second arming means 21 and 25 includerespective first and second moving means for moving respective first andsecond print hammers 77 and 79 away from the print bar 17 and thedelivery data printing means and against the biasing means, such as thesprings 81 and 83, to an armed position responsive to inward movement ofthe drawer 15. Specifically, the respective first and second movingmeans include first and second cams 123 and 125;

FIGS. 1 and 4, and FIGS. 2 and 13, respectively; mounted on a rotatableshaft 65 so as to rotate in unison therewith; rack 127 and pinion 129,FIG. 13, for translating the inward motion of the drawer 15 intorotational motion that is transmitted to the shaft 65; and first andsecond cam followers 131 and 133.

The first and second cams 123 and 125 may be mounted on the rotatableshaft 65 so as to rotate in unison therewith by any conventional means,such as splines, set screws, or the like. As illustrated, the cams areof thermosetting plastic but have a cylindrical metallic hub that isconnected with the shaft 65 by way of a set screw. The cams 123 and 125have peripheral surfaces 139 and 141 that rise radially outwardly, orexteriorly, as the shaft 65 is rotated. Any other suitable constructioncould be employed as long as the exterior surface of the cam risesradially exteriorly from the shaft 65 so as to raise the respective camfollowers 131 and 133. The cam followers, in turn, raise their camfollower shafts 85; and, thereby arm the respective print hammers 77 and79 by raising them away from the print bar and against their biasingmeans. The peripheral surfaces 139 and 141 of the respective first andsecond cams 123 and 125 have respective first and second dwell notches135 and 137. The first cam 123 has its first dwell notch 135 positionedso as to prevent overrunning of the first cam 123 when the second cam125 is rotated by having its biased cam follower 133 travel rapidlyradially inwardly when rolled off its dropoff, described hereinafter.Similarly, the second cam 125 has its second dwell notch 137 positionedsoas to prevent overrunning of the second cam 125 when the first cam 123is rotated when its respective cam follower 131 moves rapidly radiallyinwardly when its drop-off is rotated therebeneath, also explained laterhereinafter with respect to the release means of the actuator means 23To translate the inward motion of the drawer 15 into rotational motionof the shaft 65, the rack 127 is fixed to and extends longitudinally ofthe drawer l5 and engages the pinion 129. The pinion 129 is drivinglyconnected with the shaft 143, FIG. 13. The shaft 143 is drivinglyconnected with a sprocket pulley 145, FIG. 2. The sprocket pulley 145serves as a part of the transmission means drivingly connecting thepinion 129 with the shaft 65. The transmission means includes notchedbelt 147, idler pulley 149 and driven notched pulley 151 that isconnected with the shaft 65. The transmission means includes a one-wayclutch that is employed to drivingly connect the drive pinion 129 withthe shaft 65 so as to rotate the shaft 65 when the drawer 15 is movedinwardly and not to rotate the shaft 65 when the drawer 15 is movedoutwardly. As illustrated, the oneway clutch is interposed intermediatethe sprocket pulley 145 and the peripheral driving portion 153. Theone-way clutch comprises conventional diminishing passageways withroller bearings that engage the parts and cause them to rotate in unisonin one direction of rotation but roll between the diverging passagewaywalls to disengage and allow free movement in the opposite direction ofrelative rotation. The one-way clutch may be employed in driven pulley151, instead of the sprocket pulley 1.45, if desired. It is imperative,however, that the one-way clutch principle be employed to preventunwanted rotation of the shaft 65 when the drawer 15 is moved outwardly.Thus, it can be seen that the drive pinion 129 is drivingly connectedwith the shaft 65 so as to effect rotation of the shaft 65 when thedrive pinion 129 is rotated in a first direction, and the drive pinion129, engages the rack 127 so as 'to rotate in a first direction when thedrawer 15 is moved longitudinally inwardly of the frame 13 of the ticketprinter 11. On the other hand, even though the drive pinion 129 isrotated when the drawer 15 is moved outwardly, the one-way clutchprevents rotation of the shaft 65 in the opposite direction. As theshaft 65 rotates, the cams 123 and 125 rotate, initially forcing thefirst and second cam followers 131 and 133 radially outwardly away fromthe shaft65.

The first and second cam followers 131 and 133 are connected with therespective cam follower shafts that carry the print hammers, asdescribed hereinbefore. They are also, in turn, carried by the first andsecond print hammer carriages 89 and 91 such that, as the cam followers131 and 133 are moved radially outwardly, they cause upward pivoting ofthe top portions of the respective print hammer carriages 89 and 91 toarm the respective print hammers 77 and 79. The print hammers 77 and 79areretained in the armed position by the engagement of the respectivecam followers 131 and 133 with the peripheral surfaces 139 and 141 ofthe respective first and second cams 123 and until the print hammers areactuated by manual inward pushing of the actuator means 23.

As implied hereinbefore, the actuator means 23 is employed for actuatingthe print means 19. The actuaing longitudinally thereof. As illustrated,the rack 181 is a separate rack that is mounted on the opposite side ofthe drawer from the rack 127 that drivingly engages the pinion 129. Atoggle mechanism 183 is pivotally mounted on the frame 13 about fulcrumshaft bolt 185.

, The toggle mechanism .183 is movable into two angular manual operationof the manually operable member.

Specifically, the release means includes a ratchet means comprising aratchet wheel 159 and a ratchet tooth 161. The release means alsoincludes respective precipitous drop-offs 163 and 165 of the respectiveexterior cam surfaces 139 and 141 of the respective first and secondcams 123 and 125 for allowing the respective cam followers 131 and 133to move rapidly radially inwardly toward shaft 65 when the respectivecams are rotated to emplace the drop-offs 163 and 165 beneath the camfollowers 131 and 133. Expressed Otherwise, the ratchet tooth 161 isconnected with the push rod 155 so as to engage mating rachet teeth onthe ratchet wheel 159 for effecting timely further rotation of the shaft65 and the respective cams responsive to inward pushing of the push rod155. By timely" is meant after the ratchet wheel 159 has been rotatedinto position such that the ratchet tooth 161 can engage a respectiveratchet tooth on the ratchet wheel 159. The ratchet wheel 159 has tworatchet teeth disposed at its peripheral portion, the first of theratchet teeth being positioned so as to be engaged by the ratchet tooth161 when the first print hammer 77 is armed. Subsequent movement'of theknob 157 inwardly will effect sufficient additional rotation of thefirst cam 123 to allow the first cam follower 131 to fall off thedrop-off 163, to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. The approach of thedrop-off 163 to the first cam follower can be seen in FIG. 5. Similarly,the approach of the second dropoff 165 on the second cam 125 and thefall of the second cam follower 133 can be seen in FIGS. 16 and 17. Theratchet tooth 161 is pivotally mounted at fulcrum pin 167, FIG. 9, andis biased downwardly by suitable biasing means, such as leaf spring 169,to engage the peripheral portion of the ratchet wheel159. The push rod155 is biased outwardly by coil spring 171 engaging bracket 173 andcollar 175 that is fixedly connected with the push rod 155 by way of setscrew 177. The ratchet wheel 159 has a cylindrical portion that isrigidly connected with the shaft 65 by way of a set screw (not shown).

. A leaf spring 311, FIG. 5, traverses longitudinally of the ticketprinter 11 immediately above the delivery data printing means. The leafspring 311 guides the ticket 49 past the cut-out 16, FIGS. 3 and 4, inthe drawer 15. A leaf spring 314, FIG. 18, serves to keep the ticket 49and print .bar 17 from dragging on the delivery data printing means.

It is important that synchronization be maintained in operation of theticket printer 11 for correct operation. To ensure that synchronizationis maintained, a mechanism is provided that allows operation of thedrawer only inwardly or only outwardly, once that direction of drawer 15has a-rack 181, FIG. 4, fixed to and extendpositions, referred tohereinafter as a first angle and a second angle. The toggle mechanism183 has two oppositely disposed arms 187 and 189 such that one and onlyone arm engages the rack 181 when the toggle mechanism is at a firstangle and the other arm engages the rack 181 when the toggle mechanism183 is at the second angle. Specifically, the inward arm 187 engages therack 181 to allow inward movement of the drawer when the togglemechanism is at the first angle. Conversely, the outward arm 189 engagesthe rack 181 when the toggle mechanism 183 is at the other angle. Theinward arm 187 prevents outward movement of the drawer 15 because itengages the teeth of the rack 181 so the drawer 15 must be pushedcompletely inwardly before its direction can be reversed. Conversely,the outward arm 189, once it has been moved into engagement with theteeth of rack 181, permits movement of the drawer only outwardly. Toggleactuators 191 and 193 are provided at each end of the rack 181 formoving the toggle mechanism 183 to its proper angle, ordinarily to itsother angle from whatever angle it is reposing in. This allows reversalof the direction of movement of the drawer 15. The toggle mechanism 183is biased so as to retain its set angle by suitable biasing means. Asillustrated, the biasing means comprises a leaf spring 195 that biases acylindrical insert 197 into notches 199 and 201 of the toggle mechanism183. The leaf spring ismounted to a bracket 203 that is connected withthe frame 13.

The delivery data printing means comprises three sets of print wheels,the delivery data print wheels 291, FIG. 18, the product identificationprint wheels 293, and the transaction print wheels 295. As illustrated,there are six delivery data print wheels 291 in a single assembly inwhich the respective wheels advance in accordance with the conventionalArabic number system, the unit wheels rotating ten units to advance thetens wheel one unit, the tens wheel rotating ten units to advance thehundreds wheel one unit and so forth. Similarly, the transaction printwheels 295 comprise three wheels whose respective wheels advance thesucceeding wheel in accordance with the Arabic number system; the threewheels being joined together in a single conventional unit. The productidentification wheel 293 may be employed with either numbers or lettersto identify the product, as indicated hereinbefore'. As illustrated,letters are employed. The product identification wheel is journalled forrotation about its shaft and is connected via a gear train, includinggear 315, and shaft 313 with the hand knob 309. The productidentification wheel 293 is changed only by rotation of the hand knob309. Contrariwise, electrically operated solenoids 231 and 255 areconnected so as to advance, respectively, the delivery data print wheels291 and the transaction print wheels 295 upon receipt of the respectiveoperative pulses, or signals, as delineated with respect to FIG. 20hereinafter. The printing assembly comprises conventional units that arearranged in a subframe 317 that can be readily inserted into the bottomof the ticket printer 11.

In fact, FIG. 19 illustrates the bottom of the subframe 317 that isready for insertion into the bottom of the ticket printer 11 illustratedin FIG. 3. The hand knob 309 has its shaft 313 inserted in the recess321 of FIG. 3. The electrical conductors 323 terminate in respectiveY-connectors 325 to facilitate connecting with the respective electricalterminals for effecting the electrical connections being shown in FIG.20. Since the operation of the respective counting wheels by way ofelectrically conventional, solenoids are conventiona, it is not believednecessary to further encumber this already lengthy specification bydelineating in detail the interconnections therefor. Also, therespective mounting bolts for the shaft of the respective print wheelsand for the respective solenoids are clearly shown in FIG. 18.

In addition to the mechanical arrangement of the ticket printer 11,there are significant electrical interconnection aspects that are bestillustrated schematically with reference to the appropriate mechanicalstructure and figures where appropriate. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 20, aticket sensing switch 205 is connected with the delivery device, such aspump 207, so as to inhibit operation thereof until a ticket 49 isinserted into the ticket printer 11 and moved inwardly by moving thedrawer 15 to its second location, as illustrated in FIG. 7. As can beseen'in FIG. 7, the switch actuaor arms 209 are raised upwardly to closethe switch 205 when the ticket 49 is in the drawer 15 and the drawer 15is pushed inwardly to its second location. At other locations; asillustrated in FIG. 5, for example; the arms 209 are lowered, openingthe switch 205. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the ticket sensing switch 205is serially connected intermediate a power supply 211 and pump 207,although any other interconnection that would inhibit operation of thepump could be employed. The pump 207 is connected with a pulse generator214, as illustrated by dashed lines 213. Ordinarily, a liquid meter,that may be included in the housing referred to generically as the pump,can serve as the pulse generator 214, since it will have contacts thatare closed after a prdetermined quantity of fluid has been delivered togenerate the pulses. This is conventional equipment and need not bedescribed in detail. On the other hand, if desired, other types of pulsegenerators may be employed to make use of electromagnetic or magneticcoupling, or the like for safety features.

Electrical interconnection plugs employing conventional quick disconnectreceptacles are affixed near the front of the ticket printer 11,illustrated as 215, FIGS. 2 and 3. By this means, the pulse generator214 is connected with a relay 217, such as a Grigsby-Barton GB 821 C-1.The relay 217 has its latch 219 comprising a pair of interconnected NANDgates to eliminate chatter and false counts.' The output of the relayand the latch is connected with a monostable pulse shaper 221 by way ofconductor 223. The monostable pulse shaper shapes the pulse to give apositive signal of a time duration At. The output of the monostablepulse shaper is connected with the hex inverter (HEX INV) 225. The hexinverter 225 is employed to give enough power to drive the Darlingtontransistors, referred to simply as Darlingtons, (D) for each pulse. TheDarlingtons, in turn, drive their respective solenoids by connectingthem to ground. Specifically, a data print solenoid 231 is used in thedelivery data advancing means to step the delivery data printing meansresponsive to delivery of units of quantity of the material. A voltagesource V, data print solenoid 231, first Darlington 229, and ground areserially connected. Thus, conduction of the first- Darlington 229completes an electrical circuit through solenoid 231, energizing it.Energizing solenoid 231 advances the delivery data printing means oneentity. The hex inverter 225 is connected with first Darlington' 229 viaconductor 227 for rendering the first Darlington 229 conductive.

As illustrated, each Darlington is also connected with the voltagesource V by way of respective Zener diodes 233 and diodes 235. Therespective Zener diodes 233 and diodes 235 serve as clipper devices toprevent the back electromotive force (emf) from the collapsing field ofthe respective solenoids from damaging the respective Darlingtons whenthey are suddenly rendered nonconductive. In operation, the diode 235does not allow current to flow from positive voltage source V, butallows current to flow the other way. Zener diode 233 prevents currentflow up to its breadkdown voltage; for example, minus 20 volts;preventing spurious solenoid action. When the negative going voltagefrom ,the collapsing field becomes greater than its breakdown voltage,however, a parallel path is provided, preventing damage to itsDarlington. Suitable conductor 237 may be employed for energizing pilotlamps and the like.

A step switch 239 is seriallyconnected with the data print solenoid 231for manually stepping the solenoid to effect synchronization. The stepswitch 239 can also be seen mechanically in FIG. 2. This manuallyoperable step switch 239 ordinarily is not accessible to the operator,since the ticket drawer can be locked and sealed closed to preventintroduction of false counts during a delivery.

The hex inverter 225 has its output terminal also connected with asecond Darlington 241 via conductor 243. The second Darlington 241 isconnected with a delivery counter solenoid 245 and a cumulative flowsolenoid 247. The delivery counter solenoid 245 is connected with adelivery counter wheel 249, FIG. 1, at the front panel 27 to show theoperator the quantity delivered. A suitable reset button 251 is employedfor resetting the delivery counter at the beginning of each delivery.The cumulative flow solenoid 247 is connected with cumulative deliverycounter wheels 250 at the front panel 27, FIG. 1. The cumulativedelivery counter wheels 250 should always agree with the'delivery dataprint wheels 291. To help obtain agreement, a step switch 253, FIGS. 2and 20, is provided for actuating the respective solenoids 245 and 247.The step switches 239 and 253'can be employed to bring the delivery andthe cumulative flow counters, or counter wheels 249 and 250, intosynchronization with the delivery data print wheels 291. As can be seenin FIG. 20, the step switches 239 and 253 are serially interconnectedintermediate their respective solenoids and ground, the solenoids beingconnected with a source of power such as voltage V. Operation of eitherof the step switches one time actuates their respective solenoid toadvance the associated counter wheel one count.

The hex inverter 225 is connected with the transaction counter solenoid255 by way of AND gate 257 in order to register only one transaction fora given delivery. The output signal from the hex inverter will operatethe transaction solenoid only one time for a given transaction, sincethe other input pin of the AND gate 257 will only render the AND gateconductive for the initial signal, or pulse from the pulse generator214, and not for any others thereafter. Specifically, the hex inverter225 is connected with one input pin of AND gate 257 via conductor 259and the output pin of AND gate 257 is connected with the transactionDarlington 261 by way of conductor 263. The transaction Darlington 261is connected with the transaction solenoid 255 by way of conductor 265.

In order to render the AND gate 257 conductive for transmission, orconduction, of the initial pulse therethrough to operate the transactionsolenoid 255, a transaction limit switch 267, also shown in FIGS. 1 and9 et seq, is provided. A lateral protrusion 269, such as a rotatablymounted cylinder, FIGS. 10 and 11, is pro vided on the cam 123 toactuate the transaction limit switch 267 when moved therepast byrotation of the cam 123. The transaction limit switch is electricallyconnected with its latch 271, comprising a pair of interconnected NANDgates similar to latch 219. The latch 271 is electrically connected viaconductor 273 with flip-flop 275. The output terminal of flip-flop 275is connected with the other input terminal of AND gate 257 via conductor277. Thus, when the transaction limit switch is closed by the actuationof the first print hammer 77, the protrusion 169 closes the transactionlimit switch 267 and operates the flip-flop 275 to render the AND gate257 ready to conduct when it receives a pulse from the hex inverter 225.

A reset switch 279, FIGS. 9 and 20, is disposed adjacent the first cam123 so as to be closed by the protrusion 269 when the second printhammer is actuated. The reset switch 279,a trigger network 281,conductor 283, hex inverter 225, and flip-flop 275 are seriallyelectrically connected to maintain proper synchronization. Specifically,the hex inverter has one output terminal connected with the resetterminal R of the flipflop 275 by way of conductor 285 such that theflipflop 275 is reset by the trailing edge of the first pulse from thepulse shaper 221. Thereafter the AND gate 257 will not pass remainingpulses of any given delivery. If, however, there are no deliverysignals, such as a pulse from the pulse shaper 221, and the drawer ispulled out; the flip-flop 275 must be reset or it will be out ofsynchronization. Closing of the reset switch 279 by actuation of thesecond print hammer to release the drawer resets the flip-flop 275 intothe proper mode, regardless of whether or not there has been deliverysignals.

An automatic reset network 287 is also connected with the hex inverter225 to ensure synchronization. Expressed otherwise, the automatic resetnetwork 287 effects automatic resetting of the flip-flop 275 when poweris first turned on.

In operation, the ticket printer is connected with the delivery devicesuch as pump 207, as illustrated and described hereinbefore. When theticket printer 11 is not in use, the empty ticket drawer 15 may be fullyinserted into the front panel 27. This eliminates catching clothing onthe drawer and the like. The drawer 15 may be left in any other positiondesired, however. With the ticket drawer 15 fully inserted, the operatorpushes the knob 157, ordinarily labled PUSH TO PRINT, tripping theinternal mechanical printing system and freeing the ticket drawer whichpops out about three quarters of an inch from the front panel 27 bypressure of spring 303, FIG. 17. The operator then manually pulls thedrawer out to its fully extended position, normally about four inches.The drawer must be fully withdrawn before it can be reinserted afterticket loading. As implied hereinbefore, this operation would place theflip-flop 27 5 in the wrong mode, if it were not for the reset switch279 or the automatic reset network 287. In the wrong mode, the flip-flop275 would fail to prepare the AND gate 257to pass the first pulse frompulse shaper 221 upon closure of transaction limit switch 267; and thetransaction print wheels 295 would not be advanced. Either or both resetswitch 279 and reset network 287 reset, via reset pin R, the flip-flop275 to ensure proper synchronization, or operation into the correctmode.

The ticket printer 11 has a plurality of respective step positions intowhich it is operated following particular operations. It is believedhelpful to describe the operations broken down into these steps and toillustrate the components at each of the steps. The step 1 position hasthe drawer means extended outwardly for insertion of the ticket, asdescribed hereinbefore. The step 1 position is illustrated in FIGS. 4and 13 looking from the center section of the ticket printer, toward,respectively, the right and left sides. As can be seen, neither one ofthe print hammers 77 or 89 is armed and the toggle mechanism 183 willhave been tripped to allow inward movement of the drawer 15. The step 1position is equivalent to the loading position for loading the ticketand is the same as the release position for unloading a ticket that hasbeen previously printed. Consequently, that drawing is not duplicated inthe release position.

A multiple copy ticket pack is inserted into the drawer 15in its step 1position before beginning a delivery. The ticket is inserted with thebottom edge of the ticket inward and with the ticket pack inverted,printed face down. The ticket pack, or ticket 49, is pressed against thefloor of the drawer and .passed under the cross bar piercing mechanism41 until the ticket 49 hit a stop at the rear of the drawer. The stop ispreset to receive the full length of the particular ticket pack. Aplurality of guide plates and the stop on the drawer (not specificallycalled out) can be adjusted .to receive a variety of ticket sizes.

Preparatory to printing the beginning delivery information from thedelivery data printing means, the drawer .15 is moved into its step 2position. That is, it is pushed firmly into the panel until itencounters the first stop arm 99, leaving about inch of the drawerprotruding from the panel, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 14. As impliedhereinbefore, the beginning delivery information includes cumulativedelivery data from delivery data print wheels 291, the productidentification from the product identification wheel 293 and thetransaction number from the transaction wheels 295. As the ticket draweris moved inwardly to cock, or arm, the print means 19, the cross barpiercing mechanism 41 that rests on top of the ticket is cammeddownwardly by the pair of rollers 57 to force its pin 47 downwardlythrough the ticket to retain it in place. The pin 47 is retained inplace penetrating the ticket 49 by the leaf springs 53.

In the step 2 position, the rack 127 will have rotated the drivingpinion 129 to raise the first and second print hammers 77 and 79upwardly and arm them. As can be seen in comparing FIG. 5 with FIG. 14,however, the first print hammer 77 is more nearly completely armed, byhaving its first cam follower 131 nearer its drop-off 163 on its cam123; than is the second print hammer 79. As can be seen in FIG. 14, theprint bar 17 will have been lowered downwardly onto the ticket 49 byrolling of the roller 69 off of the ledge '73. This prepares the printbar for effecting better printing when struck by a print hammer. Notethat the toggle mechanism 183 'allows inward movement of the drawer, butprevents movement of the drawer outwardly until it has reached itsextreme inner position, or second location. As indicated hereinbefore,the print hammers are armed by way of the transmission means connectingthe drive pinion 129 with the shaft 65 onto which the cams are mounted.The respective print hammers are heavily biased downwardly to strike theprint bar 17 and effect the printing when actuated.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the ratchet wheel 159 in the step 1 positionis not rotated such that the ratchet tooth 161 can engage one of the tworatchet teeth on the peripheral portion of the ratchet wheel to effectfurther rotation of the shaft 65 and on the respective cams 123 and 125.In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the ratchet wheel 159 will havebeen rotated sufficiently that the cam tooth 161 can engage a firstratchet tooth 299 on the ratchet wheel 159 for effecting furtherrotation of the shaft 65. The rotation of the cam 123 about 15 to effectperipheral travel of about /2 inch will allow the first cam follower 131to traverse rapidly inwardly along the first drop-off 163. In contrast,the second cam 125 (dashed lines) will require approximately 90 or about2 inches of peripheral travel before its second drop-off 165 will beemplaced beneath its cam follower 133, which is aligned with the firstcam follower 131 andv is not visible in FIG. 10.

The ticket printer 11 is actuated into its step 3 position with thedrawer 15 at its first location and with the print means, or first printhammer 77 actuated by the actuator means 23 for effecting initialprinting of beginning delivery data. The step 3 position is illustratedin FIGS. 6 and 15. Referring to FIG. 6, the first print hammer 77 willhave been actuated, by having its firstcam follower 131 traverse rapidlydownwardly along its first drop-off 163, to strike the print bar 17. Theprint bar 17, in turn, strikes the ticket 49 and effects printing of thebeginning delivery data from the respective delivery data printingmeans. In contrast, the second print hammer 79, FIG. 15, remains in itssubstantially armed position with its second cam follower 133 engagingits dwell notch 137 on the peripheral surface. of its cam 125. Asindicated hereinbefore, the dwell notch 137 encounters the second camfollower 133 to prevent v overrunning of the respective shaft and earnswhen the first cam follower 131 traverses rapidly down the dropoff 163.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the additional rotation of the shaft 65and the first cam 123 is effected by pushing inwardly on the actuatormeans 23, or the knob 157, FIG. 1, pushing the push rod 155 and theratchet tooth 161 inwardly, effecting rotation of the ratchet wheel 159.As can be seen in FIG. 11, the first cam follower 131 will have beenrolled over the dropoff 163 and fallen rapidly radially inwardly towardthe shaft 65 for actuating the first print hammer 77. Specifically,responsive to strong biasing by spring 81, the first print hammercarriage 89 pivots rapidly inwardly when the drop-off 163 is rotatedbeneath the cam follower 131. The first print hammer is moved rapidlyinwardly to strike the print bar 17. Yet, excessive stopping stress andwear are avoided because the heavy print hammer 77 is free to overtravel by virtue of its previously described pivotal mounting on camfollower shaft 85.

As the ratchet wheel 159 is rotated, rotating the first cam 123, theprotrusion 269 actuates a transaction Iimit'switch 267, as indicatedhereinbefore to prepare the AND gate 257 to conduct the first incomingpulse from the delivery device or pulse generator 214 to the transactionsolenoid 255 for advancing the transaction print wheel 295.

As the drawer was moved inwardly to the step 3 position, the first stoparm 99 was moved upwardly to stop further inward movement of the drawer15, as indicated. Thereafter, actuation of the first print hammer 77moves the forward end of the first stop arm 99 out of the path of thedrawer 15 and allows the drawer to be moved inwardly to its secondlocation for its step 4 position.

Preparatory to printing the final delivery data onto the ticket 49, theticket printer 1 1 is moved into its step 4 position with the drawer 15being moved inwardly to its second location, as shown by FIGS. 7, 12 and16. The ticket 49 in the drawer 15 will have its READING FINISH blockemplaced adjacent the delivery data printing means. As can be seen inFIG. 16, the second print hammer 79 is moved more nearly to its fullyarmed position with its second cam follower 133 traversing further alongthe peripheral surface of the cam 125, having moved out of its dwellnotch 137. Expressed otherwise, further inward movement of the drawerrotates the shaft 65 further, simultaneously rotating the respectivecams 123 and 125 further. Movement of the drawer l5 and the ticket 49into their innermost position, or their second location, actuates theticket sensing switch 205, by raising upwardly the switch arm 209, FIG.7. The ticket sensing switch 205 must be actuated before the deliverypump 207 can be turned on. Following actuation of the ticket sensingswitch 205, the 'delivery pump 207 is ready to commence delivery of theproduct.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, also, the toggle mechanism 183 will have beenmoved by toggle actuator 193 to its other angle to allow outwardmovement of the drawer 15, once it has been otherwise released.

As noted hereinbefore, the finger 117 of the second stop arm 109 willhave been moved upwardly into engagement with the slot in the drawer 15,FIG. 16, such that the second stop arm 109 in combination with theflange engaging the front panel 27 immobilizes the drawer 15 and theticket 49 therein. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the ratchet wheel 159 willhave been rotated such that the ratchet tooth 161 can engage the secondratchet tooth 301 on the ratchet wheel 159 for actuation of the printmeans 19, or second print hammer 79, after the product has beendelivered.

After the transaction limit switch 267 has been closed to prepare theAND gate 257, the first pulse from the pulse generator 214 will actuatethe transaction number solenoid 255 to move the transaction printwheel'295 one unit. The trailing edge of the first pulse from pulseshaper 221 resets the flip-flop 275 such that the AND gate 257 will notthereafter pass pulses until the flip-flop 275 is again actuated byclosure of the transaction limit switch 267. Consequently, only thefirst pulse is effective to advance the transaction print wheel 295.Thereafter, the pulses coming in from the pulse generator 214 willeffect advancing of the delivery data print wheels 291; and, at thefront panel 27, the delivery counter wheel 249 and the cumulativedelivery counter wheel 250.

After the product has been delivered, the actuator means 23 may be movedinwardly to cause the ratchet wheel 159 and the shaft 65 to rotatefurther, allowing the second cam follower 133 to fall off of the seconddrop-off 165. The movement of the ticket printer 11 into its stepposition is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 17.

The step 5 position for the ticket printer 11 is effected by the secondprint hammer 79 having been actuated by the further rotation of itssecond cam 125 until its second cam follower 133 drops off of itsdrop-off 165, as illustrated in FIG. 17. The rotation of the ratchetwheel 159 into the steps position is the same as the step 1 position ofFIG. 9. The finger 117 of the second stop arm 109 is moved out ofengagement with the slot in the drawer 15 allowing the drawer to bemoved outwardly by interiorly mounted spring 303. Note that both printhammers 77 and 79 have been dis-armed so there is very little danger ofstriking the print bar 17 and effecting printing again.

As indicated hereinbefore, when the actuator means 23 is moved inwardlyto actuate the second print hammer 79, the lateral protrusion 269 on cam123 actuates the reset switch 279. The reset signal is effected by wayof the hex inverter 225 to reset the flip-flop 275 such that it can beenergized upon the next closure of the transaction limit switch 267.

All that remains to be done then is to pull the drawer outwardly to itsrelease position to release the ticket. As the drawer is pulledoutwardly, the L-shaped member 59 engages the roller 57 to lift thecross bar piercing mechanism 41 to move the pin 47 out of the ticket 49.Thereafter, the ticket may be lifted easily out of the drawer 15 bymovement ofa finger or the like upwardly through the aperture 307, FIG.4.

The hand knob 309 is connected with the product identification wheel 293is located internally and is accessible only when the ticket printer ispulled out away from its mounting frame.

The ticket printer 11 may be operated on any desired power source. Asillustrated, 1 volts alternating current is supplied. A male receptaclein the electrical interconnection 215 is employed for connection withpower. A female receptacle is employed to bring in the input signal fromthe delivery device, such as the pulse generator 214.

The concomitant operation of both the first and second arming means 21and 25 is described hereinbefore for arming simultaneously the first andsecond print hammers 77 and 79 by the inward movement of the drawer 15.Respective and separate arming means could be employed to arm a printmeans, such as a single hammer, during movement of the drawer into itsrespective first and second loctions. Specifically, the print means 19could be armed by movement of the drawer inwardly to its first location,thereafter actuated by the actuator means 23, and then armed a secondtime when-the drawer is moved further inwardly to its second locationfor printing the final delivery data.

The use of a one way clutch in the transmission intermediate the shaft65 and the drive pinion 129 have been described hereinbefore. Ifdesired, the one-way clutch principle could be employed intermediate theshaft 65 and each of the respective cams. As will be embodiment. Such anarrangement is deemed to be within the scope of this invention, however.

While a separate rack 181 has been described hereinbefore, the rack 127could be employed, although it would complicate the manufacture to haveto keep the toggle mechanism 183 separate from the driving pinion 129..

While the Darlington transistors have been described hereinbefore foroperation of the respective solenoids, any other logic arrangement canbe employed that will effect the operation of the solenoid positivelyand safely at the operative voltage levels of the circuit.

From the foregoing it can be seen that this invention provides a unitaryticket printer in which the operations are semi-automatically carriedout responsive to inward pushing of a drawer carrying the ticket intothe ticket printer and manual operation of an actuator means, withsafety features making a mistake virtually impossible. Moreover, thissingle piece of equipment replaces the cumbersome multiple pieces of theprior art and accomplishes the objects delineated hereinbefore ineffecting improvements in the prior art apparatus. The ticket printercan be employed at a location remote from the delivery device, such aspump 207; and electrical interconnection is the only connection that hasto be made. Moreover, the apparatus can be employed with mostconventional delivery units without requiring any additional interfacingaccessories.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degreeofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure is made onlyby way of example, and that numerous changes in the details ofconstruction and the combination and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for printing tickets showing units of quantity of amaterial delivered via a delivery device,

1 comprising:

a. delivery data printing means for printing delivery data in units ofquantity at the beginning of a delivery and at the end of a delivery;

b. delivery data advancing means for advancing said delivery dataprinting means; said delivery data advancing means being connected withsaid delivery device so as to effect said advancing of said deliverydata printing means responsive to signals from said delivery device; and

c. a ticket printer comprising:

i. a frame;

ii. drawer means for receiving a ticket thereinto; said drawer meansbeing slidable longitudinally of said ticket printer frame;

iii. print bar mounted adjacent said delivery data printing means withspace therebetween for receiving said ticket when said drawer means ispushed inwardly;

iv. print means for moving said print bar so as to effect printing ofsaid ticket with information from said delivery data printing means;

v. first arming means for arming said print means preparatory toprinting beginning delivery data; said first arming means beingconnected with said drawer means and said print means so as to arm saidprint means when said drawer means is moved inwardly to a firstlocation;

vi. actuator means for actuating said print means after said print meansis armed; and vii. second arming means for arming said print meanspreparatory to printing ending delivery data; said second arming meansbeing connected with said drawer means and said print means so as to armsaid print means when said drawer is moved inwardly to a secondlocation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a print bar positioning means isconnected with said print bar for moving said print bar toward saiddelivery data printing means before said drawer means is moved inwardlyto its said first location and for moving said print bar away from saiddelivery data printing means after said drawer means has been moved toits said second location and said print means has been actuated to printthe beginning and the ending delivery data from said delivery dataprinting means, whereby a ticket with good printing and almost nosmudging is produced, and said drawer means is readily movable in itsrespective directions without inference from said print bar.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said print bar positioning meanscomprises a roller attached to said print bar and a ledge mounted onsaid drawer means and traversing longitudinally thereof to a firstpredetermined position; said roller changing the position of said printbar when said first predetermined position passes said roller.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said printing means comprises firstand second print hammers, said first print hammer being connected withsaid first arming means and said second print hammer being connectedwith said second arming means; each said print hammer being movabletoward and away from said print bar and said delivery data printingmeans.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein biasing means is provided forbiasing said print hammer toward said print bar and said delivery dataprinting means;

said first and second arming means include respective first and secondmoving means for moving respective said first and second print hammersaway from said print bar and said delivery data printing means andagainst said biasing means to an armed position responsive to inwardmovement of said drawer means; and I said actuator means includes amanually operable member accessible at the front of said ticket printerand a release means for releasing respective said print hammers afterthey have been moved into their armed position; said release means beingconnected with said manually operable member and said respective firstand second moving means for effecting respective releases of armed saidfirst and second print hammers responsive to manual operation of saidmanually operable member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first and second moving meansinclude: I I

a. first and second cams mounted on a rotatable shaft so as to rotate inunison therewith;

b. a rack fixed to and extending longitudinally of said drawer;

c. a drive pinion drivingly connected with said shaft so as to effectrotation thereof when said drive pinion is rotated ina first directionand engaging said rack so as to rotate when said drawer is movedlongitudinally of said ticket printer frame; and

d. first and second cam followers connected tores pective said first andsecond print hammers and riding on the peripheral surface of respectivesaid cams for arming said print hammers as said first and second camsare rotated; and said release means includes:

e. a precipitous drop-off of the respective cam surfaces radiallyinteriorly of said cam for allowing respective said cam followers tomove rapidly radially inwardly when said respective cams are rotatedsufficiently; and

f. a ratchet means including a ratchet wheel connected with said shaftand a ratchet tooth connected with said manually operable member foradvancing respective said cams at respective times for releasingrespective print hammers.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a ticket sensing switch is connectedto said delivery device so as to inhibit operation thereof until aticket is inserted into said ticket printer and moved upwardly by movingsaid drawer means to its said second location.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said drawer means has a rack fixedto and extending longitudinally thereof and a toggle mechanism ispivotally mounted on said frame; said toggle mechanism having twooppositely disposed arms such that one arm engages said rack when saidtoggle mechanism is at a first angle and allows movement of said drawermeans in only one direction, and the other arm engages said rack whensaid toggle mechanism is at a second angle and allows movement of saiddrawer means in only the other direction; and toggle actuators areprovided at each end of said rack for moving said toggle mechanism toits other angle.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said drawer means includes a ticketfixing means for trapping a ticket in place in said drawer meansresponsive to inward movement of said drawer means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said ticket fixing means comprises:

a. a cross bar piercing mechanism for trapping a ticket and retaining itin place; and b. a cross bar positioning-means for forcing said crossbar'piercing mechanism downwardly to trap an inserted ticket when saiddrawer means is moved inwardly; said cross bar positioning meansincluding: i. a cross bar biasing means biasing said cross bar to trapan inserted ticket; and

ii. a cross bar camming means for also forcing said cross bar piercingmechanism to release said inserted ticket when said drawer is movedoutwardly to its release position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said cross bar positioning meanscomprises a pair of rollers mounted on said frame at respective sides ofsaid cross bar piercing mechanism contiguous its upper surface so as toforce said cross bar piercing mechanism downwardly to trap said insertedticket as said drawer is moved inwardly; and an upwardly extendingmember on each side to engage said roller and lift said cross barpiercing mechanism to free said .ticket when said drawer is movedoutwardly to its said release position.

21 1 12. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said ticket printer has aplurality of respective step positions that include: v

a. a step 1 position with said drawer means extended outwardly forinsertion of a ticket thereinto; b. a step 2 position with said drawermeans moved inwardly to a first location with said ticket having abeginning delivery data block adjacent said deliv-- ery data printingmeans, said print means being armed by said first arming means;

' c. a step 3 position with said drawer means at said first location andsaid print means actuated by said actuator means for effecting initialprinting of beginning delivery data;

d. a step 4 position with said drawer means moved to a second locationwith said ticket having an ending delivery data block adjacent saiddelivery data printing means, said print means being armed by saidsecond arming means;

e. a step 5 position effected by said print means having been actuated asecond time by said actuator means for printing said ending deliverydata and releasing and moving said drawer means outwardly; and

f. a return to said step 1 position for releasing said ticket andrepeating said operation with another ticket.

13. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a pulse generator is connected withsaid delivery device so as to generate a pulse each time a predeterminedquantity of material is delivered and said delivery data advancing meansis electrically connected with said pulse generator so as to advancesaid delivery data printing means responsive to said pulses from saidpulse generator; whereby said apparatus for printing tickets may beemployed at a location remote from said delivery device.

14. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a transmission means that includesa one-way clutch is employed to drivingly connect said drive pinion withsaid first and second cams so as to rotate said cams when said drawer ismoved inwardly and not to rotate said cams when said drawer is movedoutwardly.

15. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said print hammers are freelypivotally mounted on respective cam follower shafts that are connectedwith respective first and second cam followers; respective stops areconnected with said cam follower shafts so as to move therewith; secondbiasing means bias said print hammers toward said stops; said printhammer being free to over travel because of inertia beyond the positionof said cam follower shaft in moving with said respective cam followersrapidly radially interiorly down respective said drop-offs of respectivesaid cam surfaces.

16. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein respective first and second hammercarriages carry respective said print hammers; said hammer carriagesbeing pivotally mounted on said frame and having respective first andsecond extensions; first and second stop arms are pivotally mounted onsaid frame; said first stop arm engaging said first extension so as tomove into position to stop inward movement of said drawer means at saidfirst location as said first hammer is armed by inward movement of saiddrawer means and moved out of said position when said first print hammeris actuated; said second stop arm engaging said second extension so asto move into its holding position to releasably retain said drawer meansat its second location after said second 22 print'hammer is armed byinward movement of said drawer means toward its second location and tomove out of its holding position to release said drawer means when saidsecond print hammer is actuated.

17. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein first and second dwell notches areprovided on respective first and second cams; said first cam having itsfirst dwell notch disposed so as to prevent overrunning thereof whensaid second cam is rotated by having its biased cam follower travelrapidly radially inwardly of its said drop-off; and said second cam hasits second dwell notch positioned to prevent its overrunning whenrotated by said first cam as it is rotated by having its biased camfollower travel rapidly radially inwardly of its said drop-off.

I 18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drawer means has a rackfixed to and extending longitudinally thereof and a toggle mechanism ispivotally mounted on said frame; said toggle mechanism having twooppositely disposed arms such that one arm engages said rack when saidtoggle mechanism is at a first angle and allows movement of said drawermeans in only one direction, and the other arm engages said rack whensaid toggle mechanism is at a second angle and allows movement of saiddrawer means in only the other direction; and toggle actuators areprovided at each end of said rack for moving said toggle mechanism toits other angle.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a ticket sensing switch isconnected to said delivery device so as to inhibit operation thereofuntil a ticket is inserted into said ticket printer and moved inwardlyby moving said drawer means to said second location.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a pulse generav tor is connectedwith said delivery device so as to generate a pulse each time apredetermined quantity of material is delivered; and said delivery dataadvancing means is connected with said pulse generator so as to advancesaid delivery data printing means responsive to pulses from said pulsegenerator; whereby said apparatus for printing tickets may be employedat a location remote from said delivery device.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drawer means includes a ticketfixing means for trapping a ticket in place in said drawer meansresponsive to inward movement of said drawer means.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ticket printer has a pluralityof respective step positions that include:

a. a step 1 position with said drawer means extended outwardly forinsertion of a ticket thereinto;

b. a step 2 positon with said drawer means moved inwardly to a firstlocation with said ticket having a beginning delivery data blockadjacent said delivery data printing means, said print means being armedby said first arming means;

0. a step 3 position with said drawer means at said first location andsaid print means actuated by said actuator means for effecting initialprinting of beginning delivery data;

d. a step 4 position with said drawer means moved to a second locationwith said ticket having an ending delivery data block adjacent saiddelivery data printing means, said print means being armed by saidsecond arming means;

e. a step 5 position effected by having actuated said print means withsaid actuator means for printing said ending delivery data and releasingand moving said drawer means outwardly; and

f. a return to said step 1 position for releasing said ticket andreplacing said operation with. another

1. Apparatus for printing tickets showing units of quantity of amaterial delivered via a delivery device, comprising: a. delivery dataprinting means for printing delivery data in units of quantity at thebeginning of a delivery and at the end of a delivery; b. delivery dataadvancing means for advancing said delivery data printing means; saiddelivery data advancing means being connected with said delivery deviceso as to effect said advancing of said delivery data printing meansresponsive to signals from said delivery device; and c. a ticket printercomprising: i. a frame; ii. drawer means for receiving a ticketthereinto; said drawer means being slidable longitudinally of saidticket printer frame; iii. print bar mounted adjacent said delivery dataprinting means with space therebetween for receiving said ticket whensaid drawer means is pushed inwardly; iv. print means for moving saidprint bar so as to effect printing of said ticket with information fromsaid delivery data printing means; v. first arming means for arming saidprint means preparatory to printing beginning delivery data; said firstarming means being connected with said drawer means and said print meansso as to arm said print means when said drawer means is moved inwardlyto a first location; vi. actuator means for actuating said print meansafter said print means is armed; and vii. second arming means for armingsaid print means preparatory to printing ending delivery data; saidsecond arming means being connected with said drawer means and saidprint means so as to arm said print means when said drawer is movedinwardly to a second location.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein aprint bar positioning means is connected with said print bar for movingsaid print bar toward said delivery data printing means before saiddrawer means is moved inwardly to its said first location and for movingsaid print bar away from said delivery data printing means after saiddrawer means has been moved to its said second location and said printmeans has been actuated to print the beginning and the ending deliverydata from said delivery data printing means, whereby a ticket with goodprinting and almost no smudging is produced, and said drawer means isreadily movable in its respective directions without inference from saidprint bar.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said print barpositioning means comprises a roller attached to said print bar and aledge mounted on said drawer means and traversing longitudinally thereofto a first predetermined position; said roller changing the position ofsaid print bar when said first predetermined position passes saidroller.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said printing meanscomprises first and second print hammers, said first print hammer beingconnected with said first arming means and said second print hammerbeing connected with said second arming means; each said print hammerbeing movable toward and away from said print bar and said delivery dataprinting means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein biasing means isprovided for biasing said print hammer toward said print bar and saiddelivery data printing means; said first and second arming means includerespective first and second moving means for moving respective saidfirst and second print hammers away from said print bar and saiddelivery data printing means and against said biasing means to an armedposition responsive to inward movement of said drawer means; and saidactuator means includes a manually operable member accessible at thefront of said ticket printer and a release means for releasingrespective said print hammers after they have been moved into theirarmed position; said release means being connected with said manuallyoperable member and said respective first and second moving means foreffecting respective releases of armed said first and second printhammers responsive to manual operation of said manually operable member.6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first and second moving meansinclude: a. first and second cams mounted on a rotatable shaft so as torotate in unison therewith; b. a rack fixed to and extendinglongitudinally of said drawer; c. a drive pinion drivingly connectedwith said shaft so as to effect rotation thereof when said drive pinionis rotated in a first direction and engaging said rack so as to rotatewhen said dRawer is moved longitudinally of said ticket printer frame;and d. first and second cam followers connected to respective said firstand second print hammers and riding on the peripheral surface ofrespective said cams for arming said print hammers as said first andsecond cams are rotated; and said release means includes: e. aprecipitous drop-off of the respective cam surfaces radially interiorlyof said cam for allowing respective said cam followers to move rapidlyradially inwardly when said respective cams are rotated sufficiently;and f. a ratchet means including a ratchet wheel connected with saidshaft and a ratchet tooth connected with said manually operable memberfor advancing respective said cams at respective times for releasingrespective print hammers.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a ticketsensing switch is connected to said delivery device so as to inhibitoperation thereof until a ticket is inserted into said ticket printerand moved upwardly by moving said drawer means to its said secondlocation.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said drawer means has arack fixed to and extending longitudinally thereof and a togglemechanism is pivotally mounted on said frame; said toggle mechanismhaving two oppositely disposed arms such that one arm engages said rackwhen said toggle mechanism is at a first angle and allows movement ofsaid drawer means in only one direction, and the other arm engages saidrack when said toggle mechanism is at a second angle and allows movementof said drawer means in only the other direction; and toggle actuatorsare provided at each end of said rack for moving said toggle mechanismto its other angle.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said drawermeans includes a ticket fixing means for trapping a ticket in place insaid drawer means responsive to inward movement of said drawer means.10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said ticket fixing means comprises:a. a cross bar piercing mechanism for trapping a ticket and retaining itin place; and b. a cross bar positioning means for forcing said crossbar piercing mechanism downwardly to trap an inserted ticket when saiddrawer means is moved inwardly; said cross bar positioning meansincluding: i. a cross bar biasing means biasing said cross bar to trapan inserted ticket; and ii. a cross bar camming means for also forcingsaid cross bar piercing mechanism to release said inserted ticket whensaid drawer is moved outwardly to its release position.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10 wherein said cross bar positioning means comprisesa pair of rollers mounted on said frame at respective sides of saidcross bar piercing mechanism contiguous its upper surface so as to forcesaid cross bar piercing mechanism downwardly to trap said insertedticket as said drawer is moved inwardly; and an upwardly extendingmember on each side to engage said roller and lift said cross barpiercing mechanism to free said ticket when said drawer is movedoutwardly to its said release position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6wherein said ticket printer has a plurality of respective step positionsthat include: a. a step 1 position with said drawer means extendedoutwardly for insertion of a ticket thereinto; b. a step 2 position withsaid drawer means moved inwardly to a first location with said tickethaving a beginning delivery data block adjacent said delivery dataprinting means, said print means being armed by said first arming means;c. a step 3 position with said drawer means at said first location andsaid print means actuated by said actuator means for effecting initialprinting of beginning delivery data; d. a step 4 position with saiddrawer means moved to a second location with said ticket having anending delivery data block adjacent said delivery data printing means,said print means being armed by said second arming means; e. a step 5position effected by said print means having been actuated a second timeby saId actuator means for printing said ending delivery data andreleasing and moving said drawer means outwardly; and f. a return tosaid step 1 position for releasing said ticket and repeating saidoperation with another ticket.
 13. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein apulse generator is connected with said delivery device so as to generatea pulse each time a predetermined quantity of material is delivered andsaid delivery data advancing means is electrically connected with saidpulse generator so as to advance said delivery data printing meansresponsive to said pulses from said pulse generator; whereby saidapparatus for printing tickets may be employed at a location remote fromsaid delivery device.
 14. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein atransmission means that includes a one-way clutch is employed todrivingly connect said drive pinion with said first and second cams soas to rotate said cams when said drawer is moved inwardly and not torotate said cams when said drawer is moved outwardly.
 15. The apparatusof claim 6 wherein said print hammers are freely pivotally mounted onrespective cam follower shafts that are connected with respective firstand second cam followers; respective stops are connected with said camfollower shafts so as to move therewith; second biasing means bias saidprint hammers toward said stops; said print hammer being free to overtravel because of inertia beyond the position of said cam follower shaftin moving with said respective cam followers rapidly radially interiorlydown respective said drop-offs of respective said cam surfaces.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein respective first and second hammercarriages carry respective said print hammers; said hammer carriagesbeing pivotally mounted on said frame and having respective first andsecond extensions; first and second stop arms are pivotally mounted onsaid frame; said first stop arm engaging said first extension so as tomove into position to stop inward movement of said drawer means at saidfirst location as said first hammer is armed by inward movement of saiddrawer means and moved out of said position when said first print hammeris actuated; said second stop arm engaging said second extension so asto move into its holding position to releasably retain said drawer meansat its second location after said second print hammer is armed by inwardmovement of said drawer means toward its second location and to move outof its holding position to release said drawer means when said secondprint hammer is actuated.
 17. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein first andsecond dwell notches are provided on respective first and second cams;said first cam having its first dwell notch disposed so as to preventoverrunning thereof when said second cam is rotated by having its biasedcam follower travel rapidly radially inwardly of its said drop-off; andsaid second cam has its second dwell notch positioned to prevent itsoverrunning when rotated by said first cam as it is rotated by havingits biased cam follower travel rapidly radially inwardly of its saiddrop-off.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drawer means has arack fixed to and extending longitudinally thereof and a togglemechanism is pivotally mounted on said frame; said toggle mechanismhaving two oppositely disposed arms such that one arm engages said rackwhen said toggle mechanism is at a first angle and allows movement ofsaid drawer means in only one direction, and the other arm engages saidrack when said toggle mechanism is at a second angle and allows movementof said drawer means in only the other direction; and toggle actuatorsare provided at each end of said rack for moving said toggle mechanismto its other angle.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a ticketsensing switch is connected to said delivery device so as to inhibitoperation thereof until a ticket is inserted into said ticket printerand moved inwardly by moving said drawer means to said second location.20. The apparatuS of claim 1 wherein a pulse generator is connected withsaid delivery device so as to generate a pulse each time a predeterminedquantity of material is delivered; and said delivery data advancingmeans is connected with said pulse generator so as to advance saiddelivery data printing means responsive to pulses from said pulsegenerator; whereby said apparatus for printing tickets may be employedat a location remote from said delivery device.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said drawer means includes a ticket fixing means fortrapping a ticket in place in said drawer means responsive to inwardmovement of said drawer means.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidticket printer has a plurality of respective step positions thatinclude: a. a step 1 position with said drawer means extended outwardlyfor insertion of a ticket thereinto; b. a step 2 positon with saiddrawer means moved inwardly to a first location with said ticket havinga beginning delivery data block adjacent said delivery data printingmeans, said print means being armed by said first arming means; c. astep 3 position with said drawer means at said first location and saidprint means actuated by said actuator means for effecting initialprinting of beginning delivery data; d. a step 4 position with saiddrawer means moved to a second location with said ticket having anending delivery data block adjacent said delivery data printing means,said print means being armed by said second arming means; e. a step 5position effected by having actuated said print means with said actuatormeans for printing said ending delivery data and releasing and movingsaid drawer means outwardly; and f. a return to said step 1 position forreleasing said ticket and replacing said operation with another ticket.